Ruler



W. l. HAHN.

RULER.

APPLICATION FILED MN. s. 1920.

' Patented June 22, 1920.

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WILLIAM J. HAHN, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

RULER.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. HAHN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia andv State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new -and useful Improvements in Rulers, of which the following is a specification.. l

One object of my invention isltoprovide a rulerorstraight edge which will be so constructed that it can be used for measuring or ydrawing lines von extremely smooth or uneven surfaces and at the same time will not v accidentally slip during use. n.

` Another obl'ect 1s to vso construct my improved ruler that the anti-slipping portion will be automatically rendered inoperative so that when desired the ruler can be freely slid from place to place without interference by said anti-slipping portion.k p

A further object is to make my improved ruler of a strong anddurable construction and so that it can be easily and quickly made at a low cost.

These objects, and other advantageous ends which will bek described hereinafter, I attain in the following manner, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in Figure 1 is an inverted plan view of a ruler made in accordance with my invention,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the linc 2 2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional 'view taken on the line 3 ing the anti-slipping portion in its normal inoperative position, and p Fig. 4 is a view of the same general character as Fig. 3, showing the anti-slipping portion having been moved intoa position capable of preventing accidental slipping of the ruler.

Referring to the the body portion of the ruler which can be made of stiff wood or other material out of which rulers are usually made. This body portion on its under face 6 has a groove 7 formed therein which preferably extends from end to end. A number of holes 8 extend downwardly from the top 9 of the body portion. These holes intersect or communicate with the groove 7 at positions spaced apart throughout the length of the body portion. Y

3 of Fig. Qshowdrawings, 5 represents Specification of Letters Patent.` yPaigentd June 22, 1920, applicati@ sied January e, 1920. serial/N0. 349,717.

Buttons 10 have heads 11 whichfit and are adapted to slide downwardly within en-y larged portions of the holes 8; saidbuttons having Shanks 13 which are bent at substantially rightangles in opposite directions at their lower ends, as shown at 14. These 'ends :ment of the button heads into the position shown in Figs-2 and 3. When in this latter position the buttons of the heads 11 are spaced above thev inner surfaces 16l of the inner portions 12 of the holes 8 so that the buttonsare capable of being moved downwardly to the extent of the space between the heads-11 and the surfaces 16.."

An elongated strip17`of springy or re-v silient'wood or other material is positioned within Vthe groove 7 immediately adjacent thebent ends 14 ofthe buttons110.v The ends of the strip 11 are preferably glued or otherwise secured directly to the body portion 5 but the portion intermediate the ends of the strips 17 is free so that it can be bowed outwardly when any of the buttons 10 are pressed inwardly.

A rubber strip 18 is also positioned within the groove 7 and has its opposite ends glued or otherwise secured to the ends of the strip 17 and to the sides of the `groove 7 as shown at 19.y The strip 17 and the rubber strip 18 are preferably entirely within the groove 7 when the parts are in their normal position, such as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, so that there is no portion of the rubber strip 18 which normally extends to the bottom face 6 of the qualities of rubber, the ruler will be firmly held in frictional or non-slipping engagement with the surface upon which the ruler is placed.k y

While I have described and illustrated a number of buttons it will be obvious that one or more buttons can be used if desired Jhave the same qualities as these materials.

The strip 17 forms a backing for the comparatively soft rubber `strip 18 and thereby 4prevents thebutton Shanks-from directly engagingthe rubber. p `jliile 'l have described vmy invention as taking .a `particular form, it will lbe understood that the various parts-of my invention may be changed Without departing from the spirit thereof, and 'hence l do not limit myseli'to Lthe yprecise construction set forth, but consider that I am at lliberty to make such changes .and alterations ,as fairly come within-,the scope oitheappended claims.

lilaving thusdescribed my inventioinwhat I claimias new ,anddesire to secure 'by Let- Aters Patent ,isr-

l. A ruleroffthe character described includinga body portion having groove; a strip of nonfslipping material positioned Withinsaidgroove; and `means `for `moving -saidstrip outwardly solas to press against a surface upon which the Aruler :is placedp; substantially as described.

2. A ruler or' the character described including a vbody portion having a groove; a

strip of non-slipping material normally positioned entirely Within said groove, said 4strip being secured at portions spaced apart relatively lto said body portion; and means *for moving said strip outwardly against a surface upon W'hidh the ruler is placed, said' means being operative upon `the `portion Vof said strip between said secured portions thereof; substantially as described.

A ruler of the character described "including a body portion having a groove and a hole communicating With said groove; a button within saidlhole; a resilient strip positioned Within said groove and secured relatively to said body portionat places located at opposite sides of said button; and nonslipping material adjacent Ythe louter surface of said strip whereby when said button is pushed, said non-slipping material will be pressed into engagement with the surface upon Whiclitlie ruler is placed; substantially asdescribed. y

In testimony whereof I have signedmy name to this specification in jthe presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM J. HAHN. Witnesses:

VANNA BENTON, Y fGrams. "E. Porre. 

